Only a few years ago, a mobile phone was exclusively used to make calls; today, it is a powerful, smart computer. Cars used to be purely mechanical, but now they're full of computing technology. Even medical equipment has evolved from basic instruments to high-tech systems. But for electronic engineers, it is a tough world, as more complex electronics are being positioned closer to each other, creating the conditions for electromagnetic interference (EMI). We simply cannot predict with any certainty what new technologies will emerge in the next decade. However, based on our experience, we do know that they will introduce new forms of EMI – whether radiated or conducted, quasi-continuous or transient – amplifying the complexity of this issue. The iSENSE Doctoral Network on In-Situ Monitoring of Electromagnetic Interference has a clear mission: to train a new generation of experts who possess the skills and fundamental knowledge required to effectively address our intricate and ever-evolving electromagnetic environment to tackle the issue of EMI. Specific innovations to be expected are innovative EMI sensors and monitoring methodologies, early warning tools for detecting EMI, novel modelling and test strategies and, overall, a greater success in avoiding EMI issues. Based on the training in specific S/T skills, as well as soft and entrepreneurial skills, the iSENSE Doctoral Candidates will become highly employable scientists/engineers for the EU electronics sectors and other related industries, including automotive, medical equipment, power generation and distribution providers as well as for standardisation bodies, scientific institutions, and public organisations. Interdisciplinary training is assured with 9 universities and 2 research organizations as beneficiaries from 7 countries, while sectoral collaboration is ensured by support from industrial entities like Thales, Philips Healthcare, Valeo, Airbus, Barco, RISE, forming an integrated international consortium.

Sophisticated electronic technologies are increasingly used in mission- and safety-critical systems where electromagnetic interference (EMI) can result in substantial risks to people and the environment. Currently, EMI engineering follows a rule-based approach, which is unable to cope with complex modern situations. With this rules-based approach, during the design stage, guidelines are prescribed, which result in the application of a set of mitigation techniques, which are verified in the finished product against standards. This rule-based approach is costly, but with no guarantee of the required performance. This is particularly so for sensitive medical applications or the full-autonomous systems that are becoming ever-more common in our society. What we need is a risk-based approach, which is what PETER, the Pan-European Training, Research & Education Network on Electromagnetic Risk Management, will provide. PETER will train 15 young engineers in topics related to the development of high-tech systems that maintain reliability and safety over their full life-cycle, despite complex EMI, such as in hospitals or transport systems. This will be achieved using best practices and state-of-the-art EM engineering, reliability engineering, functional safety, risk management and system engineering, to create the risk-based EMC approach. The multidisciplinary, multinational doctoral training program will provide the researchers with experience and allow them to develop and in time lead their own area of research. PETER is closely aligned with the high-priority areas of the EU, addressing many Horizon 2020 thematics, e.g., Industrial Leadership (Advanced manufacturing and processing), Societal Challenges (Smart, green and integrated transport; Secure, clean and efficient energy) and Excellent Science. But the most important output of PETER will be 15 highly qualified people who have been trained to tackle many of the problems now being faced by European industry.